WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior political adviser to President Barack Obama is likening Mitt Romney's selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate to John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin.
David Axelrod tells "CBS This Morning" he recalls "that kind of excitement four years ago" when McCain presented Palin to the country as his choice for vice president. Axelrod says in Monday's interview he thinks the selection of Ryan, who is popular with tea party figures — as Palin was — is "not going to be a plus for Mr. Romney."
Axelrod says he likes Ryan personally, but he also is labeling the Wisconsin Republican "a certifiable right-wing ideologue."
Obama's adviser says Ryan is "a genial fellow, but his views are quite harsh," and he says "these Republicans don't like Medicare."
